JOHOR BARU: At only 18 years of age, Marcus Ho Yi Nian does not look like a person who can do parlour tricks at a children's birthday party.
He does not wear the sharp, neat and shiny clothes that mark a person out as a deft purveyor of the sleight of hand and other tricks that can keep his audience intent mesmerised on what's going on the stage.
His get-up is not compelling but the tricks he can pull out of the hat have drawn interest from pageant and party organisers as a draw card at their events.
The Lower Six student from SMK Bandar Seri Alam in Masai, has become a magician in demand, at birthday and other commemorative occasions, and at fundraising occasions.
Ho took his first magic class at the Yeap Magic Academy at 12-years-old and took stage magic seriously at 14, which also saw him hold his first stage performance at a Chinese New Year event. at a Chinese primary school.
Since then, the youngster has already chalked up performances at commercial shows held in schools, temples, community care homes, orphanages, homes for the sick and elderly, and at food bank fundraisers.
"I am prepared to work for fund raising charity shows in order to help the needy," he said.
Ho stressed he enjoys performing not for the sake of earning money but to fulfil his desire and also enthrall the people.
He clarified that his priority is to complete his STPM and secure a place in a college when he can pursue a diploma in bakery and pastry making. He views performing illusions as a part-time hobby only.
"I want the people to enjoy my show, especially young children and teenagers, and have no intention of making a fast buck," explained the neophyte magician.
When performing, Ho uses props that serve as part of his plot or spectacle, to make the impossible happen before the audience's eyes.
"It's not the tricks they choose to perform. It's not the props magicians use, but it's the way they present the tricks and give it meaning," he remarked.
He elaborated that studying showmanship is vital to one's magic repertoire because it allows a performer to create the magic in a spectator's mind, not the method for the trick, adding that "the presentation is more powerful than the method."
Ho's magical ability has taken him to Singapore, where he has performed at the Aegean Paradise Cruise Artistes Charity Day, apart from performing nationwide in Malaysia.
He has also added feathers to his magical cap by winning several awards over the years.
In 2019, he won the bronze medal for the World Magic Extravaganza Malaysia Talent Competition, first runner-up position in the Superkiddos Search Talent Competition, and in the Asia Junior Got Talent Competition he received the consolation prize.
He also took part in the Mlrigic -The Revolution Junior Magic Competition - also in 2019, where he was the first runner-up.
In late 2019, he was awarded the Malaysia Top 10 Outstanding Entertainment Award, where he received the gold award.
In 2020, he became the runner-up for the Sin Chew Daily Night of Songhe Talent Competition – Magic.
The same year, he took part in Malaysia Children and Teens network Comprehensive Talent Competition and got the consolation prize.
He has even traveled to China and took part in the Asian Variety Festival Talent Competition in Beijing. He received an Official Award Certificate of Honour 2020.
In 2021 he achieved the International Online Top 10 Outstanding Magician Star Award at the Magical Multi Star Talent Awards Ceremony.
This year he also took part in Kids Got Talent Malaysia (Season 6) Talent Competition – Magic in Kuala Lumpur.
The young upcoming illusionist is already carving a name for himself and hopes to be listed in the world's best magicians list.